Walker Percy marker finds a spot in Covington

Some of my favorite family vacations have included historic locations.

When my daughters were young and enthralled with the story of Helen Keller, we made a special stop at Keller’s childhood home in Tuscumbia, Ala. We saw the famous water pump where Annie Sullivan and her student had the breakthrough moment, the moment that opened the doors of the world to the blind and deaf young girl. My daughters spent the rest of that summer pretending to be Helen and Annie (a huge improvement in my mind over Ariel and Sleeping Beauty).

This year, as I explored historic options, I realized that I should stop and look in our own back yard: When driving down Boston Street, be sure to notice a fairly new historic marker about Walker Percy.

The author and philosopher lived and worked in Covington; he died in 1990 and is buried in the cemetery at St. Joseph Abbey.

Percy was trained as a physician and when he contracted tuberculosis, he turned to reading, philosophy and eventually writing. His first work of fiction, “The Moviegoer,” won the National Book Award in 1961.

The Boston Street marker, just across from Lee Lane, is the culmination of an effort by members of Percy’s family, who still live in the area, to commemorate the author’s place in Covington history.

“The process started after the trailhead was completed,” City Councilman Trey Blackall said. Some members of the Percy family asked about placing some kind of marker or statue in the city.

“With the help of former councilwoman Jan Robert, Deborah Foshee and Frank White, we met several times ... to see how we could help,” Blackall said. There was a little lag, he said, and then about six weeks ago, “Frank White called and said the family had petitioned the state for the historical marker. “

Three weeks later, it was installed. “They worked on it and their hard work paid off,” Blackall said. “They chose the spot, trying to keep in mind that he worked at the former Kumquat bookstore on Lee Lane. “I think they picked a good spot for it. ... I think they are very happy with it.”

I’m pretty happy with it, too; future generations need to see that a great author and thinking man lived and worked right here in Covington.

It also means my summer historic exploration need go no farther than Boston Street and Lee Lane, or perhaps even St. Joseph Abbey, if we're feeling adventurous.

•••••••Karen Baker can be reached at kbaker@timespicayune.com or 985.898.4826.